Roof panel anti-flutter reinforcement

Abstract

An anti-flutter structure, or reinforcement panel, for a roof panel supported on transversely extending roof bows. The reinforcement panel is attached to at least one of the roof bows with the flanges being disposed above the roof bow. The flanges extend longitudinally, and are resiliently compressed by the roof panel. The reinforcement panel has a body and flanges laterally flanking the body. The body is attached to one of the roof bows with the flanges being disposed above the roof bow. The anti-flutter material is disposed between the flanges and the roof panel.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A roof assembly comprising:
 a roof panel; 
 plural roof bows extending transversely across and below the roof panel supporting the roof panel; 
 a reinforcement panel having a body and flanges laterally flanking the body, the body is attached to one of the roof bows, the flanges are disposed above the roof bow, extend longitudinally, and are resiliently compressed by the roof panel; and 
 an anti-flutter material is provided between the flanges and the roof panel. 
 
     
     
       2. The roof assembly of  claim 1  wherein the reinforcement panel includes a pair of upstanding walls between the flanges and the body. 
     
     
       3. The roof assembly of  claim 2  wherein the upstanding walls are joined to the flanges at an upper corner, and wherein the upper corner defines a plurality of openings that increase flexibility of the upper corner. 
     
     
       4. The roof assembly of  claim 2  wherein the upstanding walls are joined to the body at a lower corner, and wherein the lower corner defines a plurality of openings that increase flexibility of the lower corner. 
     
     
       5. The roof assembly of  claim 1  wherein the roof bow has outwardly extending flanges, and wherein the reinforcement panel is attached to the outwardly extending flanges. 
     
     
       6. The roof assembly of  claim 1  wherein the flanges exert a biasing force on the roof panel, wherein the roof panel exhibits greater thermal expansion than the roof bows, and wherein the roof panel moves away from the roof bows when heated and the flanges flex upwardly toward the roof panel. 
     
     
       7. An anti-flutter structure for a roof panel supported on transversely extending roof bows comprising:
 a reinforcement panel having a body and flanges laterally flanking the body, the body is attached to at least one of the roof bows, the flanges are disposed above the roof bow, extend longitudinally, and are resiliently compressed by the roof panel; and 
 an anti-flutter material is provided between the flanges and the roof panel. 
 
     
     
       8. The anti-flutter structure of  claim 7  wherein the reinforcement panel includes an upstanding wall between the flanges and the body. 
     
     
       9. The anti-flutter structure of  claim 8  wherein the upstanding walls are joined to the flanges at an upper corner, and wherein the upper corner defines a plurality of openings that increase flexibility of the upper corner. 
     
     
       10. The anti-flutter structure of  claim 8  wherein the upstanding walls are joined to the body at a lower corner, and wherein the lower corner defines a plurality of openings that increase the flexibility of the lower corner. 
     
     
       11. The anti-flutter structure of  claim 7  wherein the roof bow has outwardly extending flanges, and wherein the reinforcement panel is attached to the outwardly extending flanges. 
     
     
       12. The anti-flutter structure of  claim 7  wherein the flanges exert a biasing force on the roof panel, wherein the roof panel exhibits greater thermal expansion than the roof bows, and wherein the roof panel moves away from the roof bows when heated and the flanges flex upwardly toward the roof panel.